The Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS) will take its groundbreaking On Country Pathways Program (OCCP) to Jigamy, near Eden, on the far south coast of NSW, later this month.
The OCPP aims to create career pathways into film, television, radio and podcasting through bespoke training for emerging First Nations creatives living in remote, rural and regional areas across Australia. This year the program has provided AFTRS’ world-class screen and audio training to First Nations storytellers in parts of Queensland and Western Australia.
It will now head to Jigamy, in Thaua Country, on the south east coast, where it will offer two workshops following the Giiyong Festival – in podcasting and mobile content creation – in partnership with local not-for-profit First Nations media organisation Studio Jaanda over three days (24-26 November). The festival runs on the weekend of 22-23 November.
Create, Record, Publish: Podcasting Made Simple is a practical workshop that will explore the principles of what makes good audio content and the unique opportunities podcasts offer for connecting with audiences and communities. Participants will learn practical skills so that, by the end of the workshop, they will have at least one show, podcast episode or podcast trailer ready to publish.
Workshop facilitators are Natalie Pozdeev, AFTRS’ Program Convenor for the Graduate Diploma in Radio and Podcasting, and Dre Ngatakorua, a broadcaster of Wangkangurru, Adnyamathnha, Kuyani, Luridja, Deiri, Yankunytjatara, Cook Island and Maori decent. Dre is host of the Straight Out Show on Umeewarra Radio.
In the Mobile Content Creation workshop, participants will learn how to write, shoot, edit and share short reels/video content for social media and online platforms using mobile phones. Participants will learn how to plan and capture engaging short form content, tell stories in 60 seconds and learn skills for recording, editing, uploading and sharing content.
Facilitators for the mobile content workshop are Patrick McKenzie and Brooke Collard, with mentors Jodie Dowd (AFTRS First Nations Community Engagement Manager), Kerrod Meredith-Creed (AFTRS Community Training Officer), Sara Khan, screenwriter and proud Wailwan, Gomeroi, Pakistani woman with a strong background in storytelling, and photographer and filmmaker Anthony Rigby-Smith.
AFTRS First Nations Director Peter Noble said the program had been warmly welcomed by First Nations Communities and industry practitioners since it was piloted in collaboration with PAKAM in the Kimberley Region of Western Australia in September 2024. A total of almost 80 people has now participated in the series of workshops, including at Cairns in collaboration with Arts Queensland in April, and at FRAIM Fesitval in Bidyadanga, WA, with PAKAM and ICTV in July.
“The On Country Pathways Program is about creating real opportunities for First Nations storytellers in regional and rural areas to build their skills and share their voices and stories,” Pete said.
“Our workshops are co-designed with First Nations Communities, so they truly speak to local culture and aspirations. Bringing the program to Jigamy means connecting with Community in that region and building practical skills, along with the confidence, to open doors and minds to creative careers that can be life changing.”
Studio Jaanda offers professional media services, digital storytelling, and branding solutions tailored to align with the values of Culture, Country, and Community. Under the governance of Eden Local Aboriginal Land Council and supported by Cultural practitioners, filmmakers, graphic designers, music producers, traditional artists and industry mentors, Studio Jaanda is building a future where First Nations stories are told authentically and meaningfully.
AFTRS On Country Pathways Program has been made possible thanks to the support of the Commonwealth Government as part of the National Cultural Policy. AFTRS will kick off its program in Jigamy with an information stall at the Giiyong Festival on Saturday 22 November 2025.